Catgut

In the world of Dessend, the term "catgut" is used to describe items made from animal intestines. However, contrary to what the name suggests, most catgut is actually sourced from the intestines of sheep and goats, not cats. This material is widely used in various applications such as strings for musical instruments, surgical sutures, and other specialty items.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Catgut is typically creamy or off-white in color, although variations can occur depending on the animal of origin and the manufacturing process. It is not completely transparent, but rather has a semi-transparent or slightly opaque appearance. Catgut has a smooth and slightly shiny surface. It may appear slightly shiny, especially when light reflects off its surface.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Catgut has good tensile strength, allowing it to withstand tension and stretch without breaking. It is very flexible, which is important so that it can be easily tied and knotted. This flexibility allows it to be used in applications where it needs to conform to different shapes or be tightly wound.
An important property of catgut is its biodegradability. Over time, catgut naturally decomposes in the body without needing to be removed, making it suitable for use in absorbable surgical sutures. The body's own enzymes gradually digest the collagen, making extraction unnecessary.
However, catgut tends to absorb moisture from its environment. This property can lead to changes in its dimensions and properties when exposed to different levels of humidity.

Origin & Source

While the intestines of any animal can be processed into catgut, it is primarily obtained from sheep and goats due to their wide availability. However, for certain magical creatures their entrails (along with the rest of their flesh) possess unique properties that make them desirable for certain uses. For example, a catgut lining made from the intestines of a red dragon provides exceptional thermal insulation and is therefore suitable for special purposes.

History & Usage

Discovery

The use of animal organs for non-consumptive purposes has a rich historical heritage dating back to ancient times. This practice arose independently among different races and cultures, long before the founding of the earliest kingdoms. The resourcefulness and ingenuity of intelligent races allowed them to realize the potential value of animal organs for various applications, which lead to the development of various practices and techniques for using these organs in different ways. From medicinal uses to crafts, this widespread and ancient tradition highlights the creative and adaptable nature of societies throughout history.

Everyday use

Catgut has many common uses as cordage. It is often used to make strings for various musical instruments because it produces a warm and rich sound when stretched and plucked. Additionally, catgut is widely used as surgical suture and ligature material due to its toughness, flexibility, and the ability of its collagen composition to be safely absorbed by the body.
For various purposes, suitable pieces of catgut are usually cut and tied off at one end. Typically they are dried for storage and then soaked before use. While they can be used in culinary applications such as stuffing sausages and other dishes. Shorter pieces of catgut have sometimes been used as barrier contraceptives, i.e. used as a condom.

Refinement

Before animal intestines can be used effectively, thorough processing is required. The first step is to empty the intestines of their contents. They must then be carefully cleaned to ensure that all residue and impurities are removed. To facilitate their prolonged use, the intestines between the folds are freed from the surrounding muscle, fat, and fascia, allowing them to be stretched to longer lengths.
At this stage, the processed intestines can be subjected to various treatments depending on their intended use. Some may be cut and subjected to a curing, drying, or smoking process. Those intended to be used as twine or cordage are spun, stretched and dried to achieve the desired strength and flexibility for their specific applications.

Type

Organic

Rarity

Very common